Molluscum Information

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Information & help for people affected by Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV)

A benign viral infection of the skin that is not particularly harmful or painful. There are four types of Molluscum contagiosum Virus, (MCV-1, MCV-2, MCV-3 & MCV-4). MCV-1 is the most common type of infection and MCV-2 is predominantly seen in adults. MCV infects only human beings. Information includes symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, transmission, prevention and other general information.

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Symptoms of Molluscum

Molluscum causes normal skin to grow into bumps. There is no pain or discharge from these but they may bleed if cut. Symptoms usually appear between 2-12 weeks after being exposed to the infection, but can take years to manifest.

Common Symptoms include:

Small, waxy, round, raised polyp-like growths (often with a tiny depression in the middle) which may be single at first, but can multiply into clusters, containing a firm white substance rather than pus.

Molluscum infections and blisters occur wherever the virus enters the body, usually on the:

abdomen/belly

genitals

thighs

The blisters can be:

clear

flesh-colored

pink

white

yellow

Other Symptoms

Itching

red, scaly skin around the blisters

Individual blisters may disappear on their own after about two months, but the general outbreak can last anywhere from six months to three years.

Transmission of the Molluscum Virus

manual contact, such as sharing towels and sports/locker room equipment

nonsexual, intimate contact

scratching, picking or breaking the blisters and touching one another (especially in preschool and elementary school children)

vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse

The molluscum virus has a higher incidence in children, sexually active adults, and the immunodeficient. such as people with AIDs.

In 2010, approximately 122 million people were affected by the Molluscum contagiosum virus MCV.

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How is Molluscum Diagnosed

Unfortunately the virus cannot be routinely cultured. Molluscum contagium virus can be diagnosed by performing an excisional biopsy.

Diagnosis is usually ascertained by:

clinical observation of the symptoms by a dermatologist

infected tissue examined under a microscope for:

“abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm” &

“a small peripheral nucleus”

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Treatment of Molluscum

Although the virus remains in the body, the immune system of a healthy person can usually control the outbreaks, causing the blisters to disappear. There are potent herbal formulations that assist your immune system and attack the virus internally.

Outbreaks can recur, possibly triggered by a weakening of the immune system. The infection usually clears up in 6-18 months without any treatment.

Molluscum is generally treated by destroying the infected skin. Growths are usually removed using one of the following techniques:

burning growths off with a potent acid, such as Trichloracetic Acid

electrical current

freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen

laser surgery using a blistering agent, such as Podophyllin which is made from rainforest beetles)

Retin A ® a common acne treatment (often used with children)

Once the head of the lesion has been destroyed, the infection is gone, because the virus is contained in the central waxy core of the lesion.